HORIBA C05-LT Desktop 100W Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Test Station

Overview

The HORIBA C05-LT Desktop 100W Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Test Station is a fully integrated, benchtop-scale electrochemical testing platform engineered for rigorous R&D in PEM fuel cell technology. It operates on the fundamental principle of controlled galvanostatic/potentiostatic polarization under precisely regulated thermal, humidification, and gas delivery conditions—enabling quantitative characterization of membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs), catalyst layers, and full single-cell performance. Designed to meet the evolving demands of academic laboratories, national research institutes, and industrial R&D centers, the C05-LT delivers metrological-grade repeatability across dynamic load cycling, accelerated stress testing (AST), and steady-state polarization mapping. Its compact footprint (≤0.8 m²) and modular architecture support seamless integration into hydrogen safety-compliant lab environments without requiring dedicated utility infrastructure.

Key Features

• High-fidelity environmental control: Dual independent humidity control loops with ±0.5 °C dew point accuracy and temperature regulation from 25 °C to 130 °C (±0.25% FS stability)
• Gas delivery system: Precision mass flow controllers (MFCs) for H₂, O₂/N₂, and air with ≤1% reading accuracy and sub-second response time
• Dedicated safety architecture: PILZ-certified standalone safety controller compliant with IEC 61508 SIL2, managing pressure, temperature, liquid level, electrical interlocks, and emergency shutdown (E-Stop)
• Automated nitrogen purge capability: Software-triggered or hardware-initiated inerting sequence with configurable timing and flow profiles
• Integrated electrochemical analysis: Built-in potentiostat/galvanostat supporting cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and current interrupt techniques
• Multi-level hydrogen safety: LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) sensor interface with real-time alarm relay output and interoperability with building-wide hydrogen monitoring systems

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The C05-LT accommodates standard 5 cm², 10 cm², and 25 cm² MEA configurations, as well as custom-sized single cells with standardized gasketed sealing interfaces. It supports both dry and fully humidified inlet gases, enabling systematic investigation of water transport phenomena across Nafion® and next-generation hydrocarbon membranes. The system conforms to CE marking requirements under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) 2014/68/EU, ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU for Zone 2 instrumentation, and Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU. Environmental compliance includes RoHS 2011/65/EU and REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006. All safety-critical firmware and hardware design documentation are available for GLP/GMP audit readiness.

Software & Data Management

TestWork™ software provides a no-code test sequence builder with drag-and-drop logic blocks, parameter sweep definition, and conditional branching—enabling automated execution of complex AST protocols such as DOE-defined voltage cycling (e.g., 0.6–1.0 V vs. RHE, 500 mV/s), load hold steps, and humidity ramping sequences. Data acquisition occurs at up to 100 Hz per channel with timestamp synchronization across electrical, thermal, and gas-phase sensors. Raw data export is supported in CSV, HDF5, and MATLAB (.mat) formats. Role-based user access controls enforce ISO/IEC 17025-aligned permissions for method editing, calibration logging, and report generation. Audit trails record all operator actions, parameter changes, and system events in accordance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures.

Applications

• Catalyst screening and degradation analysis: Quantifying ECSA loss, CO poisoning tolerance, and Pt dissolution kinetics via CV and EIS
• Membrane durability assessment: Monitoring proton conductivity decay and fluoride ion release during open-circuit voltage (OCV) hold tests
• Water management studies: Correlating anode/cathode dew point differentials with flooding/drying onset thresholds
• System-level parametric optimization: Mapping power density vs. stoichiometry, backpressure, and relative humidity to identify optimal operating envelopes
• Failure mode identification: Coupling in-situ electrochemical diagnostics with post-mortem SEM/EDS analysis of degraded MEAs
• Validation of computational models: Providing high-resolution polarization curves and impedance spectra for model parameterization and verification

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable operating pressure for the anode and cathode gas channels?
The C05-LT supports up to 3 bar(g) absolute pressure on both anode and cathode sides, with pressure transducers calibrated to ISO 5725 accuracy standards.
Does the system support automated humidity ramping during polarization sweeps?
Yes—TestWork™ enables synchronized control of inlet gas dew point, cell temperature, and current load, allowing for humidity-dependent IV curve acquisition.
Can third-party gas analyzers be integrated via analog or digital I/O?
The station features 8-channel isolated analog inputs (0–10 V / 4–20 mA) and Modbus TCP support for seamless interfacing with HORIBA VA-5000 series multicomponent analyzers or other OEM instruments.
Is remote monitoring and control supported over LAN/WAN?
Full remote operation—including real-time data streaming, sequence modification, and alarm acknowledgment—is enabled via secure HTTPS and TLS 1.2 encrypted web interface.
What calibration services are included with annual maintenance?
Annual service includes NIST-traceable recalibration of all MFCs, temperature sensors, pressure transducers, and electrochemical reference electrodes, accompanied by ISO/IEC 17025-compliant calibration certificates.